Change whose property was destroyed by members of ZANU PF. Some of the people have
since looted his property and destroyed his livelihood, which include his crops and livestock.
This looting continues unabated to date. The police, who are aware of the activities of the
ZANU PF youths in this case, have turned a blind eye to the total breakdown of the rule of
law in this area.
In certain areas around Harare’s high density suburbs and outlying areas, members of the
military have imposed curfews. As a result freedom of movement has been severely curtailed.
During the early hours of the evening, anyone who is found in the streets has been subjected
to inhuman and degrading punishment and has been accused of not observing the imposed
curfew. Victims have been asked to crawl in the streets for distances that range up to 200
metres by soldiers. The targeted individuals include the elderly, youths and even
breastfeeding mothers. There has been an overwhelming disrespect of persons and
indiscriminate and unjustifiable destruction of property. At least 30 homes are believed to
have been burnt down and some destroyed around the country.
By 19:00hrs on 17 April 2008, several groups of people were still being indiscriminately
abducted, arrested from the streets and their homes around Harare.
ZLHR deplores this cruel and unacceptable retributive action. The dignity of human beings in
Zimbabwe is paramount and nobody should be targeted for merely exercising her/his right to
vote or due to a perceived political affiliation. Urgent action must be taken by the authorities
to stop such atrocities and bring the perpetrators to book.
APPEAL BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Date: 18 April 2008
END STATE-SPONSORED VIOLENCE IN ZIMBABWE
At
the
time
International
rights
is
situation
of
Zimbabwe's
deeply
in
28th
concerned
Zimbabwe
anniversary
about
reports
following
of
of
presidential,
independence,
the
Amnesty
deteriorating
parliamentary
and
human
local
government elections which took place on 29 March 2008. The organization is
particularly
supporters
concerned
in
rural
about
areas,
apparent
townships
retribution
and
19
farms
attacks
across
against
the
opposition
country.
Victims
Select target paragraph3
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